Vending and dispensing device



Jan. 1, 1952 Filed Oct. 21, 1947 'FIGI.

W. S. TANDLER E AL VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet l K f a INVENTORS. WILLIAM S. TANDLER 7 ROBERT G. F LEURIOT & BY CARLTON F. PECK Tiff/K A T TOZA/E VS.

1952 w. s. TANDLER ETAL 2,581,216

VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed QCt. 21, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.4.-

99a. v 4 INVENTORS.

V 9 K WILLIAM s. TANDLER F [67 ROBEJRT e: FLEURIOT &

,BYCARLTON PECK Y Mv 22a THE/k ATwm UJ.

Jan. 1, 1952 w. s. TANDLER ET AL VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 21, 1947 INVENTORJ. l

' WILLIAM s. TANDLER ROBERT e. F

LEURIOT &

CA RLTON F- P ECK I 12% m Tf/f/R AT ORNEYS.

Jan. 1, 1952 w. s.' TANDLER ET AL 58 2 VENDING .AND' 131 5331151116 DvIc'E Filed Oct. 21, 194 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS. WILLIAM S. TANDLER BY ROBERT G; FLEURIOT &

CARLTON F. PECK I -.y $514, THE/R ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 1,1952

Filed Oct. 21, 1947 W. S. TANDLER ET AL VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. I2.

INVENTORS. WILLIAM S. TANDLER ROBERT G. FLEURIOT &

BY CARLTON F. PECK THE/R ATTORNEYS- Jan. 1, 1952 w. s. TANDLER ETAL 2,581,216

VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE -Filed Oct. 21, 1947 7 Sheets-Shee t 6 IN NTOR. WILLIAM S- NDL ROBERT G- FLEURIOT & BYCARLTON F. PECK THE/R A T TOR/V5 Y5.

Jan.' 1, 1952 w. s. TANDLER ET AL VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Oct. 21, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTORS. WILLIAM S. TANDLER ROBERT e. FLEURIOT & 3* CARLTON F. PECK Patented Jan. 1, 1952 VENDING AND DISPENSING DEVICE William S. Tandler, New York, N. Y., Robert G.

Fleuriot, Englewood, N. J and Carlton F. Peck, New York, N. Y., assignors to Vendomatic Machine Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application October 21, 1947, Serial No. 781,210

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to dispensing devices of the type disclosed in the Tandler et al. application Serial No. 676,226, filed June 12, 1946, and the Tandler et al. Patent No. 2,500,437, granted March 14, 1950, Tandler et al. Patent No. 2,500,438, granted March 14, 1950, and the Tandler et al. Patent No. 2,531,238, granted November 21, 1950. It relates more particularly to improved clutching and power-transferring mechanisms for such dispensing devices and to the mechanism driven thereby for discharging articles successively from the supporting elements or units of such dispensing devices.

The above-referred to application and patents disclose various types of supports for articles to, be dispensed and. clutching and actuating mechanisms therefor whereby an article may be selected and dispensed from the device by the insertion of a coin in the dispensing apparatus and the actuation of a selector switch. Among the mechanisms disclosed therein are pawl and ratchet. drives for supporting belts for the articles, mechanical clutching mechanisms which are either controlled by solenoid devices or by the emptying of a preceding dispensing unit. Many of these mechanisms are rather complex and expensive to manufacture, and while satisfactory from astandpoint of mechanical or electrical operation, they may render the cost of such dis-,

pensing devices excessive, and moreover they may require the use of higher power motors and regular supervision and repairs.

Generally, these prior devices operate on the principle that the discharge. of an article from its support will terminate the operation of the dispensing unitthereby preventing the dispensing of more than one article at a time. In these prior devices, the size of the article being dispensed is of no importance, for the discharge of an article terminates the dispensing operation.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved forms of clutching mechanisms for coupling a supporting conveyer or pusher member to a source of power.

Aiurther object of the invention is to pro vide an improved type of mechanicalv transfer mechanism for causing sequential operation of a series of dispensing units without the use of independent motors for the operation of the transfer mechanism. 7

A further object of the invention is to provide novel clutching mechanisms for coupling a source of power to the conveyer belt or pusher mechanism of a dispensing unit, whereby friction between thedrive mechanism and the pusher member or support is reduced to a minimum when the dispensing unit is disconnected from the operating source of power.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of dispensing mechanism including a mechanically controlled article-detecting device for terminating a dispensing operation.

vide improved forms of electrical control systems for rendering the dispensing. device effective to dispense an article.

Other objects of the invention will become anparent from the following description of typical forms of dispensing units embodying the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention, we have provided an improved form of dispensing unit including a novel form of clutch which may be readily engaged and disengaged to couple the dispensing mechanism to a source of power, such as a motor-driven shaft. Moreover, the invention includes novel forms of actuating mechanisms for coupling and uncoupling the dispens ing units and the source of. power, including either mechanically or electrically controlled systems for accomplishing this operation.

More particularly, one form of clutch utilized in accordance with the present invention is a,

spring clutch which is characterizedv by a helical spring wound around the drive shaft and In a modified form of clutch, the same principles are involved with the exception that instead of a spring, a positive toothed clutch is.

provided which normally is engaged to connect the supporting conveyor and/or pusher member to the drive shaft but which can be released by retarding the movement of the braking ratchet mechanism. 7

The braking member cooperating with the braking elementassociated with the clutch may be of various kinds, but when a ratchet or' ratchets are used, this cooperating braking ele ment preferably consists of a pawl or pawls which engage the ratchet to prevent further ro-.- tation of the ratchet.

A further object of. the invention is to pro- The invention includes various mechanisms for engaging and disengaging the pawl and ratchet to control the operation of the supporting conveyer or pusher member. Such controls may consist of suitably actuated rotary or oscillatory cams. These cams may be mechanically actuated by a preceding dispensing unit to cause the units to operate in succession, or they may be solenoid controlled and directly responsive to actuation of a selector switch to cause the dispensing operation to take place.

The advantages of the mechanisms described generally above are that they are relatively simple in structure, positive in action in that they normally tend to connect the drive shaft with the supporting conveyer or pusher, but when released they exert minimum friction drag on the drive shaft, thereby permitting relatively lowpowered motors to be used in actuating the dispensing device. Moreover, they make it possible to use. a simplified type o a er m ws:

nism for actuating successively several dispensing units in a row or in several rows with positive recycling through the entire series of units.

For. a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to, the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a portion of a dispensing device and easing therefor with parts shown broken away and with parts removed in order to disclose details of construction;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation and partly broken away of the device disclosed in Figure 1 with the casing not shown therein to, better dis,- close details of the construction;

Fig-ure 3 is an isometric view of the cam shafts and a portion ofthe actuating mechanism of a device illustrating diagrammatically the relation of the cams on the camshafts for sequential operation of the transfer mechanism;

Figure 4 is an end view of a linkage system for transferring the operation of a dispensing unit in a lower rowto a higher row of dispensing units;

F-igure 5 is a view in vertical section taken through one end of the actuating roller discls-.. ing details of one form ofspringclutch mechanism for connecting the roller. and the drive shaft;

Figure 6 is an end view of the spring clutch mechanism shown in Figure Figure 7 is a view in side elevation of a pawl mechanism for disengaging the clutch mechanism when the unit is in a sold out condition;

Figure 7A is a view in side elevation of a part of a dispensing unit having a modified control for preventingoperation of a unit when it is in a sold out condition;

Figure 8--isa view in vertical section through the end of a roller showing a modified form of clutch mechanism therefor;

Figure 9 is a view in section taken on line '9-9 of- Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a view in side elevation of a modified form of dispensing unit;

Figure 11 is a view in vertical section through one end of the clutching mechanism of the device shown in Figure 10 illustrating a modified form of clutching mechanism;

Figure 12 is anend view of the device shown in Figure 11 partly broken away to disclose details 6f construction;

Figure 13 is a view in vertical section through still another form'of roller and clutching mechanism therefor;

Figure 14 is an end view of one clutch element of the clutching mechanism disclosed in Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an isometric view of the other clutch element of the device shown in Figure 13; Figure 16 is a view in section through a modified form of dispensing unit support illustrating a modified form of conveyer therefor;

Figure 17 is a view in side elevation of a modif ed form of dispensing unit providing individual selection of merchandise under the control of a solenoid and an automatic block; and

Figure 18 is a view in side elevation and partly broken away of still another form of dispensing unit, providing individual selection of merchandise and having an automatic clutch release actuated by dispensing of one article of merchandise.

The device chosen for purposes of illustration may include a cabinet I0 like those disclosed in the above-referred to Tandler et al. application and patents. The cabinet, is not disclosed in detail herein, inasmuch. as it is not a part of the present invention. It is generally box like in shape and has a plurality of dispensing units.

mounted in a series of horizontal rows, as illusr trated generally in Figures 1 and 2 of the draw! ings. The dispensing units are adapted to receive horizontal rows of merchanidse to be dispensed, such as, for example, books, boxes, pack ages, food stuffs and the like. A portion of the cabinet it may be used to house equipment such as a refrigerating unit, electric motors, a cooking unit and the like, as disclosed in the Tandler et al. Patent No. 2,531,238.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the draw ings, a typical dispensing unit ll may include a support l2 which may take the form of a channel memberhaving side flanges l3 and I4 and a bottom having a raised center portion l5 adapted to receive and support a conveyer belt 16, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2. The conveyer belt may be of the endless type, if desired, but preferably it. has one end fixed to a roller 11 and is wound up on the. roller ll. as the latter rotated. The conveyer belt [6 is provided with a pusher plate I8 having a rearwardly extending portion is resting on thecenter portion l5 and having downwardly extending flanges 20 at its opposite edges extending into the channels on opposite sides of the center portion [5 of the support.

The drive roller or rotary member 11- is r otatably mounted on a drive shaft 21 which extends transversely of the case or housing In and is connected at one end to an electric motor 22 which rotates the shaft counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 2. If desired, the shaft 21 may extend through bearings in the unit I l and others in the same horizontal row. i

Additional units 23, 2t and '25 in the same horizontal row may have their rollers alsomounted rotatably on the shaft 21.

Other horizontal rows of elements 26, 21-, 28,

29 and 3i), 3!, 32 and 33 are driven, respectively,-

by the motors 34 and 35 which are also mounted on the side of the casing 10. I

Referring now to Figures 2, 5 and 6, the roller I! may be of hollow cylinder form and is provided with a bearing element 38 adjacent each end for supporting the roller for rotation on the shaft 2|. As shown in Figures Sand 6, the bearing member 38 at the right-hand end ofthe roller is secured to one end of a helical spring 40 which is wrapped around the shaft 2i and is under tension so that it normally tends to grip the shaft s" 2|. The spring 40 is'wound in a direction, for example, a right-hand winding, so that when the shaft 2| rotates counterclockwise, as viewedshaft 2| and is connected to the opposite endof the spring 40 so that the 'ratchet'normally tends to rotate with the shaft 2| and the spring 40. However, when the ratchet 4| isretarded orstopped, the action of the'shaft 2| on the spring 40 is such as to cause it to unwind par-' tially, thereby releasing the grip of the spring on the shaft and disconnecting the roller As shown in Figure 2, thefrom the shaft 2|. mechanism for retarding or stopping rotation of the ratchet 4| may consist of 'a pawl member 42 which is pivotally connected to the end of a lever 43 which is pivotally supported on a bracket or lug 44 extending up from a channel member 45 which extends transversely of the casing Ill and supports the upper horizontal row of units in the casing It]. The pawl 42 is normally urged toward the ratchet 4| by means of a spring 46 connected to the pawl and a flange 41 on the edge of the channel member 45. The pawl 42 also engages a pin 48 projecting laterally from the side plate |3 of the support and is provided with a notch 49 which receives the pin 48 to permit the pawl to rock into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet 4|.

When the pawl 42 is in engagement with the ratchet 4 the roller H is released from the shaft 2| so that the conveyor I is stopped and the articles supported thereon are not advanced relatively to'the support I2.

When the ratchet is released by movement of-the pawl 42 to the position shown in Figure 2, the shaft 2| is coupled by means of the spring 45 to the roller I so that the roller l rotates, winds up the conveyor I5 thereon and advances the articles along the member 2.

The ratchet 4| is released by means of a camshaft 55 (Figures 2 and 3) which extends transversely of the casing Hi and of the entire row of dispensing units 23, 24 and 25. The shaft 50, as shown in Figure 3, is provided with a cam member 5| which is disposed behind the lever 43 (Figure 2) and when rotated to the position shown in Figure 2, lifts the pawl 42 out of engagement with the ratchet 4|. When this cam is rotated through an angle, in the embodiment shown, of about 72 the lobe of the cam 5| permits the lever 43 to rock clockwise to engage the pin 48 in the notch 49 of the pawl 42, thereby permit ting the pawl 42 to engage the ratchet4l.

Rotation of the camshaft 55 to produce this action is controlled by movement of the conveyor belt I6 so that when the conveyor belt has discharged all of the articles therein, or has moved to a position in which all of the articles should be discharged therefrom, the roller is disconnected from the shaft 2|. Rotation of the camshaft 50 is produced by means of another cam or lever 52 fixed to the camshaft 5|! which is in alignment with one of the downwardly directed flanges '20 on the pusher plate l8. Thus, when the pusher plate H; has advanced to a position where the last article thereon should be discharged, the-finger or flange rocks the cam Thiseletil 6- 52 and the camshaft 50 through a suflicient angle to cause the pawl 42 to engage the ratchet 4| and prevent further rotation of the roller l1.

- The transfer mechanism whereby the units I, 23, 24 and 25 are actuated in succession, will now be described. As indicated above, the portion of the camshaft 50 adjacent to each dispensing unit is provided with cams corresponding to the cams 5| and 52 of the dispensing unit 1 These cams are illustrated in Figure 3, and the cams corresponding to cam 5| are identified as" cams 53, 54 and 55. The cams 5|, 53, 54 and'55 are arranged inangular relationship, as best shown in Figure 3. Thus, in a dispensing unit,

including four units, the angular relationship between the cams 5|, 53, 54 and 55 will be 72 each,

while the angular relationship between the cam 55 and the cam 5| is about 144. This angular relation corresponds to five steps of the camshaft of 72 each.

With the cam 5| in the position shown in Figure 2, completion of the movement of the pusher H; to the left, rotates the cams 5| and 52 to stop the conveyer l6 and bring the cam 53 into position to condition the unit 23 for operation. This action is repeated until the camshaft 55 assumesthe position shown in Figure 3.

With the cam 55 in the position shown in Fig-' ure 3, in which the dispensing unit 25 is connected to the shaft 2|, the cam 5| has progressedto a position three steps beyond and is two steps away from the position shown in Figure 2. The

reason for this relationship will be explained hereinafter.

The next lower row of dispensing units 25,21}

23 and 29 is also provided with a similar camshaft 56 which is provided with the pawl'controlling cams 51, 58,- 59 and 50, as well-as cams corresponding to cam 52.

The next lower row of dispensing units 35, 3|,

52 and 33 is also provided with a camshaft 5| carrying the cams 62, 53, 54 and 55. The angular relationship of the cams onthe camshafts 56 and 6| 'is similar to the angularrelationsh'ips of thecams 5| to 55, although, as indicated in Figure 3,

all of the cams on the shafts 55 and 6| are out of row. This transfer is accomplishedby' means of the linkage systems disclosed in Figures 2 andf l of the drawings. As shown in Figure 2, thecam-' shaft 50 is provided with a lever 15' carrying piv-" otally a link or a thrust member II which is guided by means of a pin 12 extending through a slot in the link. The thrust member is pro vided with a notch 13 for engagement with a pin 14 extending from a triangular memberl5 fixed to the end of the camshaft 56. The triangular member 75 also is provided with a thrust member 16 which is guided by means of a pin 11 and is provided with a notch 18 to engage a pin 19 on a lever fixed to the end of the camshaft 5!. The opposite end of the camshaft 6| is provided with a lever 8| which drives a thrust member 82 having a notched end 83 which is engageable with a pin 84 on a lever 85 carried by the camshaft 5|).

7, The notches inw rdly of the ends of the, thrust members-1|. l6 and 82 provide clearance tor the pi s H. 19 and 8 as the lov rs are r ated! The lever 85 on the camshaft 5.0 is spaced about 108 from the lever 10 at the opposite end of the camshaft 5B and assumes the position shown in Figure 4 when the camshaft so is in the position shown in Figure 3.

The levers 80 and BI on the shaft 6| have the relation shown also. In operation, and with the cams in the position shown in Figure 3, the dispensing unit 25, that is, the last unit to be actuated inv its row. is in operation and the cam 55 will remain in this position until the unit has. completed discharge of all the articles there.- from. At this; time, the camshaft 50 is rotated by the cam of unit 25 corresponding to the cam 52 so that all of the cams on the shaft 50 are rotated 72 clockwise and also, the lever 10 is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 2. The lever 70, has, however, been advanced three steps and the notch 13 is now in en agement with the pin 14 on the member 15.

As a result, when the shaft 50 is moved one step, the link U will rock the camshaft 56 72 counterclockwise. as viewed in Figure 2. As a result, the cam 50 on the camshaft 56 will be moved to a substantially horizontal position and will cause the pawl controlled thereby to be disengaged from the corresponding ratchet of; the

unit 29, allowing the motor 34 to drive the unit 29.

' and. patents.

When the unit 29 has reached its emptied position, the camshaft 5B is rotated one step to bring the cam 59 in a position to connect its dispensing unit 28 with the motor 34.

The units 2'! and 26 are in the same way engaged successively with the motor 34 in order to discharge their contents. When the unit 28 has discharged its contents. the shaft .56 will have been rotated sulficiently to bring the notched end 18 0f the link '15 into the position overlying the pin 19, and upon further counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 56 through one step at the conclusion of the operation of the dispensing unit 26, the lever 80 and the camshaft 6| will be rotated counterclockwise one step to cause the cam 65 of the unit 33 to rock its pawl out of engagement with its corresponding ratchet. The units 33, 32, 3| and are connected successively by stepwise rotation of the camshaft 6| and when the last. unit 30 is. emptied, the lever 8| will have moved to within two steps counterclockwise of the position shown in Fi ure 4 and the notch 83 will be below and in engagement with the pin 84 which has Stepped aroundone step counterclockwise beyond the position shown in Figure 4. Rotation of the shaftil at the conclusion of the dispensing operation of unit 30 will move the lever 8| one step counterclockwise and will similarly rotate the shaft one step counterclockwise to bring the elements into the position shown in Fi ure 2, thereby reconnecting the roller l] to the drive shaft 2| and starting the sequence of dispensing operation over again.

The two steps of the shaft 5|) between the end of a dispensing operation of the last unit 25 the top row and the beg nning of a dispensing operation of the first unit II are necessary to permit the intermediate transfer step from the p row t e mid le row. .If an, add i nal ransfer step wer n prov ded, the rive trans for w ul ak pl ce from the unit 25 directly back to the unit order to assu e di en a emen or the oln ch of a unit when the unit is s d out. and to prevent recy lin f the s ries of empty units,

additional pawl memb r 9 may e pivotal y sup-H p rted. on the under sur ace oi the s pport 2 and may be urged. away irom the ratchet 92 by means o a spring 83.. The pawl 90. n a ed with the ratchet by me ns f a forwa dly pro lootin fi ger .94 on the pusher plate 95, The pawl. 3| en a es the ratchet only in the event ha the uni is sold out and a transfer is startl ed from a preceding unit. This, transfer will 4, ause th nit. to he set into operation and will caus th pusher plate to advance beyond its normal. sold out position. As the pu r plate travels beyond its sold. ut position. the fing r 94 n a es th upstandin log 96 on the pawl .90 and forces th latter into engagement with he ratchet vl2. thereby positively preventing the utch from. connecting the. empty conveyor to.

he d ive she-it. Ea h unit may be provided with a pawl construction of the type described.

.A. similar result may be obtained by an electrical sold out control as shown in Figure 7A. I s f rm. f ontr l. each d sp sing unit is prov ded w a lev r a fixed to a shaft 91a.- The l ve 51 ag by a fin er 94;; o the usher- 95a. The. s a t 81o e tends en thwise of a complete horizontal row of dispensing nnits n s p ded h a le e its a one end f n in a w c 9% c nnected in the mot r circuit. When a transfer operation attempts to set a sold out unit into operation, the pusher fing r 9 ks he co s nd ng lover a counterclockwise and forces the lever 981; against the button of the switch 99 a thereby dBcner-gizing the dr ve mo o d pr vent ng recycl ng.

T e lut m chanism for conne ting t e drive rollers to the shafts is susceptible to cons derable var t n and p ovis on ma b made for fre i g th ol e comp ete y from the d ive shaft in order to permit the conveyer belt to be drawn backwardly and refilled with additional the. conveyo belt is also r tatab y mount d on.

the mot r dri e shaft H. Th rol e is c ted t ne n of th clutch pring m m her I02 while the opposite end of the spring is onnected t anlate Hi3 ot t bly moun ed on the shaft NH. The ratchet member I04 is also rotatably mounted on the shaft NH and has .a p n I95 thereon ex ndin h ou h an elon ated slot Hi5 in the plate member I93. The ratchet t us s c nne ted fo im ted m veme with respect to the plate I53. The plate is also proe vided with a lug I9! having a spring H15 thereon which is adapted to engage a tooth ||l9 project: ing inwar ly fr m h nne p r he y oi the roller. mo to hold the clutch spring Hi2 in par? 9 against rotation, the "spring I02 grips the shaft IOI and causes the ratchet I04, the plate I03 and the roller I to rotate with the shaft IDI. The spring I08 is to the left of the tooth I69 and out of engagement with it. When the ratchet I04 is restrained by means of a pawl, the spring I02 is unwound, thereby releasing the roller I09 from the shaft I0 I. Also, the pin I95 is displaced along the slot'-I96 andpermits relative clockwise rotation of the roller with respect to the plate I03 against the tension of the spring. If, however, it is desired to rotate the roller counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 9, with respect to the shaft, to refill the conveyer, the conveyer belt may be pulled back with the result that the roller rotates sufficiently far for the spring I08 to come into the position with respect to the tooth shown in Figure 9, inasmuch as this rotation of the roller displaces the pin I05 to the right-hand 'end of the slot I06. En agement of the spring -I08with the tooth I39 latches the spring I02 in a partially unwound condition, and upon lifting the pawl, not shown, from the ratchet, the entire roller and ratchet assembly can be rotated relatively to the shaft IUI, if, when the conveyer has been reloaded, the ratchet is turned relative to the roller I06, the spring I08 is released from the tooth I09 and the apparatus is then in a condition for further operation.

Still another and preferred form of clutch is illustrated in Figures 10, 11 and 12. This form of spring clutch for connecting and disconnecting the roller H0 and the shaft III includes a collar or sleeve II2 on the end of the roller which is in face-to-face engagement with a headed collar or sleeve H3 fixed to the shaft III. Rotatably mounted on the sleeves H2 and I I3 are a pair of ratchet members I I 4 and II 5 which are retained in spaced relationship by means of a washer H6. A helical spring clutch element II? is wrapped around the confronting ends of the sleeves H2 and H3 and is normally 'tensioned to grip both of these elements to connect the roller IIG to the collar H3. The ends of the spring. II! are connected to the ratchet members He and H5. So long as neither of the ratchets H4 or H5 is restrained against rotation, the spring II I couples the shaft III with the roller 5 Iil'through the sleeve H3. When,

however, the ratchets II4'and H5 are rotated in opposite directions to partially unwind the spring H7, the roller ill! is released from the shaft II I. This may be accomplished-by means of the pawl construction H8 shown in Figure 10. The pawl construction II 8 includes two opposed pawl ele ments I i9 and Iii? mouted on a common lever I2I which is pivotally mounted on the side plate I22 of the support H23.

The lever I2I is normally urged downwardly by means of a spring I24. When the pawls H9 and I move downwardly, they engage respectively with the ratchets H4 and H5 rotating them in opposite directions and unwinding the spring I If. The pawl structure I I8 is moved upwardly to the dotted line position by means of the cam I25 which is mounted on a camshaft I26 like the camshaft 50 described above. The camshaft !26 is also rotated by other cam elements, not shown in Figure 10, but like those disclosed in Figure 3.

The clutching mechanisms described above are also susceptible to further modification, and, if desired, toothed clutches may be used instead of the spring clutches described above. Such a clutch is disclosed in Figures 13, 14 and 15. In this mechanism, in which only the operating'ele- 10 ments are illustrated, the drive shaft I30 sup: ports a drive roller I 3| to advance a conveyer belt I32. The drive shaft I30 supports a suitable braking element I33, such as a ratchet, for relative rotation.

The drive roller I3I is provided with a clutch element I34 at one end thereof which is nonrotatably connected to, but axially slidable within, the roller I3I by means of splines I35 and grooves I36. This sleeve or clutch element I34 has a, tooth clutch sleeve I31 thereon which cooperates with a. complemental clutch I38 fixed to the drive shaft I30. The clutch element I 34 is normally urged toward the clutch element I38 by means of a spring I39 interposed between the end of the roller I3I and the sleeve I34. Thus, the roller is normally connected to the drive shaft for rotation therewith.

The roller I3I may be disconnected from the shaft I30 by means of the ratchet I33 and other mechanism. The sleeve I34 is provided with inclined cam surfaces I 40 which cooperate with similar inclined cam surfaces I4I on the ratchet sleeve I33. The ratchet is maintained against axial displacement to the right by means of a collar I42 which carries the clutch teeth I 38 and receives the ratchet I33 rotatably.

When the ratchet I33 is restrained against rotation, the inclined cam surfaces I 40 and HI will rotate relatively until the clutch elements I31, I 38 disengage due to ai'zial displacement of the member I34.

The rib I43 and groove I44 on the cam sur-'- faces I 40 and I 41 assure positive engagement of the clutch elements. Theratchet I 33 is controlled by means of a pawl member like any of those described above.

In some instances, it may be desirable tohave the dispensing units individually controlled, for example, when dispensing articles of different character or nature from a series of different units under the control of the purchaser. Devices of this type are disclosed more particularly in the Tandler et a1. application Serial N 0. 676,226 and Patents Nos/2,500,437 and 2,500,438. Dispensing units embodying generally the same principles of operationv as those described above may be used in such devices under positive elec trical control. Typical forms of devices of this type are disclosed in Figures 16, 17 and 18 of the drawings. As shown in Figure 16, these units may include a support I similar to that described above supported ona transverse channel member I5I and havinga rotary member or roller I52'for moving a conveyer I53 along the support. The conveyer may .be provided with a pusher plate I54 having a forwardly and downwardly projecting tongue thereon for cooperating with a limit switch, not shown, for preventing overrunning of the conveyer. One form of control mechanism for this dispensing unit may inthe channel member I 5'I. Beneath the channel member I5! is a control box I6I containing a solenoid coil I 62 cooperating with a pivotally mounted armature I63 which is connected by means of a link I64 to the bottom end of the lever I59. Thus, when the coil I62 is energized, the lever I59 is rocked to disengage the pawl -:1 1 I58 from the ratchet I57 in the same manner as the pawl and ratchet mechanism disclosed in Figure 2.

An additional feature of this construction is the provision of a retaining device forprevsnting the discharge of articles Irom the support I59 when the roller 152 is disconnected from the shaft I56. This retaining mechanism includes a cross bar I supported at its opposite ends by means of generally S-shaped levers I96 which are pivotally supported at IS'I on a downwardly projecting plate I 68 on each side of the support 159. The bar I is urged toward the dotted line position by means of a spring IE9 connected between the end of the s-shaped member I56 and the plate IE8. The S-shaped member I56 is also provided with .a pin I10 which is disposed in front of a downwardly projecting arm I on the pawl member I58. Thus, when the pawl I53 is pushed forward by energization of the solenoid coil I62, the S-shaped members I56 and the cross bar I65 are rocked to the full line position. When the coil I62 is deenergized at the end of a dispensing operation, the pawl :59 moves rears wardly into engagement with the ratchet I5! and also permits the cross bar I 55 to be moved to the dotted line position, thereby preventing removal of articles from the conveyor I53, .for example, by shaking the dispensing device.

Another type of electromechanical control for a dispensing unit is shown in Figure 18. This form of device includes a drive roller I having a control ratchet .IBI thereon which cooperates with a pawl 82 to prevent rotation of the roller I80 by the shaft I83 when the pawl is in the position shown: The pawl I82 can be moved out of engagement with the ratchet by means of a lever I34 pivotally mounted on a side plate I85 on the support I86 to permit rotation of the roller I89.

The pawl I82 is urged downwardly toward the ratchet IBI by means of a spring I81 which retains the pawl against a pin IBTa. The lever I84 is advanced to disengage th pawl from the ratchet by means of .a member I88 fixed to a shaft I89 which also carries a drum I99 having a cam surface including a shoulder I9I therein. The shoulder cooperates with a plate I92 carried by .a stop finger I93 which is pivotally connected to the plate I85 and is normally urged upwardly by the spring I99.

I 96 of a solenoid coil I 91 which may be energized from a remote point.

When the solenoid I91 is energized, the armatur-e I96 is drawn downwardly, thereb rotating the shaft I89 counterclockwise and displacing the pawl I82 out of engagement with the ratchet ISI, thereby permitting the shaft I33 to drive the roller I89. When an article is discharged over the roller I89. it will strike the finger I93.

When the shaft I89 is rotated by the armature, the shoulder I9! of the cam is displaced so that it is to he left of and engages against the cross plate I92 on the finger I93. Therefore, regardless of whether the solenoid coil is deenergized. theroller I80 will be driven until an article strikes the finger I93, as referred to above. When this occurs, the finger I93 is rocked downwardly to disengage the cross plate I92 from the shoulder 'I9I, thereby permitting the spring I955 to rock the cam I88 and the drum I to the position shown.

The pawl then engages the l2 ratchet I M and disconnects the roller I80 from the shaft I83.

From the preceding description of typical forms of the invention, it will be apparent that we have provided simplified forms of clutch mechanisms which are highly effective in controlling the operation of dispensing devices :of

, the type described and which permit such operaill tion with a minimum of friction and power.

It will be understood that the system is susceptible to considerable modification in its details, and, therefore, the forms of the invention described herein should be considered as illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. An article dispensing device comprising a plurality of article supporting and advancing means, each supporting and advancing means comprisin a support, a drive shaft, a "rotary member rotatably mounted on said shaft, means mounted on said support and connected with said rotary member for advancing articles along said support, a ratchet member mounted on said shaft and normally rotatable with said rotary member, clutch means on said shaft, cooperating clutch means carried by said rotary member for connecting the latter to said shaft, means carried by said ratchet member for disengaging said clutch means on said shaft and said rotary member when said ratchet is restrained against rotation, a pawl movable into and out of engagement with said ratchet to restrain and release said ratchet, and a series of cam elements, each element being adjacent a different pawl, and means for movin said cams to successively disengage said pawl from their corresponding ratchets' to cause said rotar members to be driven in succession by said shaft.

2. An article dispensing device comprising a plurality of article supporting and advancing means, each supporting and advancing means comprising a support, a drive shaft, a rotary member rotatably mounted on said shaft, means mounted on said support and connected with said rotary member for advancing articles along said support, a ratchet member mounted on said shaft and normally rotatable with said rotary member, clutch means on said shaft, cooperating clutch means carried by said rotary member for connecting the latter to said shaft, means carried by said ratchet member for disengaging said clutch means on said shaft and said rotary member when said ratchet is restrained against rotation, a pawl movable into and out of engagement with said ratchet to restrain and relea'e said ratchet, and a series of cam elements, each element being adjacent a difierent pawl, and a member carried by each of said means for advancing articles along said support to move said cams to disengage said pawls successively from their corresponding ratchets to cause said rotary members to be driven in succession by said shaft.

3. An article dispensing device comprising a plurality or article supporting and advancing means, each supporting and advancing means comprising a support, a drive shaft, a rotary member rotatably mounted on said shaft, means mounted on said support and connected with said rotary member for advancing articles alon said support, clutch means on said shaft, a couperating clutch element carried by said rotary member for connecting the latter to said shaft, a lever pivotaliy mounted on said support movable to a position to disengage said clutch element and 13 said clutch means, a first mechanism actuated by said means connected to said rotary mechanism for advancing articles as it advances to a position for discharging the last article therefrom, to move its lever and disengage its corresponding clutch means and clutch element, and other mechanism connected to and actuated by and with said first mechanism to move the lever of an adjacent supporting and advancing means to connect the rotary member of said adjacent supportin and advancing means to said shaft.

14 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Coltman Sept. 14, 1880 McKenney Oct. 12, 1920 Helt Sept. 12, 1922 Van Berke] Feb. 10, 1931 Scott et a1. May 10, 1932 Ray Sept. 12, 1932 Clayton Jan. 1, 1935 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany of 1924 

